Abstract

Sara Daoudi*, Imane Adrif, Mustapha El Kabous, Narjiss Berrada, Hind Mrabti and Hassan Errihani

ABSTRACT

Background: Breast cancer is a public health problem in terms of its frequency and severity. Along with the increase in the incidence of this cancer, there has been growing awareness of the length of delays in accessing care. Measuring waiting times is a good indicator of quality and performance of cancer care. The aim of this study was to determine the waiting times of medical care of patients with breast cancer in the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat (INO). Materiel and methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study of 505 cases of patients followed for breast cancer at INO. The five most observed following waiting times in the department of medical oncology were evaluated. Results: The mean age was 48 years old. The average deadline from diagnosis to chemotherapy was 82.6 days. The average deadline between chemotherapy and radiotherapy was 53.7 days. Overall, the average deadline between surgery and chemotherapy was 59.3 days. The average deadline between surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy was 61.4 days. The average deadline from neoadjuvant chemotherapy to surgery was 68.8 days. Conclusion: Controlling access times to treatment is a real strategic issue for improving breast cancer care through the development of an active and continuous policy to improve these times. It is essential to reduce the waiting time during the care pathway to ensure successful treatment and to meet patients’ needs.